Background: SUVs are an increasingly popular type of vehicle; however, little epidemiologic research has been done on the effect of their growing presence on pedestrian injuries.
Objectives: To compare the injury patterns of pedestrians hit by SUVs versus conventional automobiles and examine the relationship between pedestrian mortality/injury severity with vehicle type while controlling for vehicle mass and speed.
Methods: For 1995-1999, Maryland state police, trauma registry, and medical examiner data were linked. Crashes were limited to those involving an SUV or conventional car. The relationship between non-superficial injuries and vehicle type was assessed using Pearson chi-square values. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between mortality/overall injury severity score (ISS) and vehicle type, controlling for vehicle mass and speed.
Results: Linkage of databases resulted in pedestrian crashes involving 1942 conventional cars and 133 SUVs. Pedestrians struck by SUVs were more seriously injured (Odds Ratio for ISS >16=1.69, 95% CI=1.17, 2.45) and more likely to have died (OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.45, 3.35). Being struck by an SUV resulted in more traumatic brain injuries, injuries to the thorax, abdomen, spine, upper extremities, and legs above the knee, but less injuries below the knee.
Controlling for both curb weight and speed limit, there was not a significant association between vehicle type and mortality or overall injury severity.
Conclusion: Being hit by an SUV resulted in injuries to specific body regions. More deaths and serious injuries seen in pedestrians struck by SUVs may be explained by larger vehicle weights and faster speeds.
Learning Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) compare the injury patterns of pedestrians hit by SUVs versus pedestrians hit by conventional automobiles and (2) examine the relationship between pedestrian mortality and injury severity score and vehicle type while controlling for vehicle mass and vehicle speed.
Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injuries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.